Skip to main content
WUHLD
← Back to articles

What Financial Information Should You Share With Your Partner?

· 14 min

Note: The following scenario is fictional and used for illustration.

Emma and Marcus lived together for six years, split bills equally, and considered themselves committed partners. Emma earned £45,000 as a teacher, while Marcus earned £62,000 in IT. They kept separate bank accounts—Emma believed in financial independence, Marcus preferred privacy. When Marcus died suddenly at 38 with no will, Emma discovered he had £180,000 in savings she never knew existed. Under UK intestacy rules, every penny went to Marcus's estranged brother. Emma, who'd shared a home and life with Marcus, inherited nothing. If they'd been married, she would have inherited his entire estate automatically. Because they weren't, the law treated her as a stranger.

According to Aviva's 2025 research of 2,000 Brits with partners, 47% of UK adults keep financial secrets from their partners, with average secret savings of over £6,000. For unmarried couples, financial secrecy isn't just a trust issue—it's a legal vulnerability that can have devastating consequences.

This article explains what financial information you should share, why transparency matters, and how to protect yourself legally when you're not married.

Table of Contents

The Current State of Financial Transparency Among UK Couples

Financial secrecy is far more common than you might think. Nearly half (47%) of UK adults keep financial secrets from their partners, with more than £6,000 on average per person stashed away in secret accounts.

The reasons people hide money are complex. According to the research, 31% want financial independence, 27% fear being trapped in their relationship, another 27% are preparing for a potential breakup, and 15% are hiding debt. These aren't necessarily signs of dishonesty—they often reflect legitimate anxieties about financial vulnerability and control.

Money remains the most common source of conflict in relationships. Research shows 76% of UK couples argue about money, with disagreements occurring regularly for many. Yet despite this tension, many couples avoid financial conversations altogether, creating a destructive cycle of secrecy and conflict.

Sophie, 29, from London keeps £8,500 in a secret savings account her partner doesn't know about. She's not hiding it from dishonesty—she watched her mother struggle financially after divorce and promised herself she'd always have an escape fund. James, 35, from Manchester hides £3,200 in credit card debt, terrified his partner will judge his spending habits.

These scenarios reveal an uncomfortable truth: financial secrecy often stems from fear, not malice. But for unmarried couples, the legal consequences of these secrets can be devastating.

The paradox is striking. While three-quarters of UK couples argue about money, many still avoid meaningful financial discussions. Research from Starling Bank found that 41% wait until engagement or marriage before having serious money talks, while 28% avoid these conversations altogether.

For unmarried couples, this avoidance creates unique legal risks. Unlike married couples who have automatic financial protections, cohabiting partners have almost no legal safety net if things go wrong.

No, unmarried couples in England and Wales have no legal obligation to disclose financial information to each other during their relationship. Unlike married couples who must provide full financial disclosure when divorcing, cohabiting partners can keep finances completely private.

This might sound liberating, but it creates significant vulnerability. The myth of "common law marriage" persists—49% of people believe it exists—but it has zero legal standing. No matter how long you've lived together, you have no automatic financial rights to each other's assets, income, or property.

However, specific situations create de facto disclosure requirements for unmarried couples:

When you're buying property together: Mortgage lenders require joint financial disclosure, including income verification, credit history, and existing debts. You cannot hide financial information during this process.

When creating a cohabitation agreement: The Law Society recommends full financial disclosure for any cohabitation agreement to be enforceable. Both partners should disclose assets, debts, income, and financial commitments to their independent solicitors.

When making joint credit applications: Credit card companies and lenders perform joint credit checks, linking your credit files together. Your partner's poor credit history becomes your problem.

When applying for means-tested benefits: Universal Credit and other benefits require disclosure of your partner's income and assets, even if you keep finances completely separate.

During Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 applications: If you're seeking financial provision for children after separation, both parents must complete financial disclosure through Form E1.

Sarah and David discovered this when buying their first home. Sarah had assumed David's finances were stable—he had a good job and seemed responsible. When they applied for a mortgage, she learned he had a County Court Judgement from four years ago. Their application was declined, and they had to wait another two years. Sarah wasn't angry about the CCJ itself—she was devastated he'd never mentioned it.

The government announced in February 2025 that formal consultation on cohabitation rights reform will launch later in the year, potentially introducing financial rights after two years of cohabitation. But currently, the law is clear: you can keep unlimited secrets from your partner, and they have no legal recourse unless you're taking specific joint actions.

This legal vacuum makes financial transparency not just a relationship issue, but a protection issue. Without automatic rights, unmarried couples need explicit agreements and honest conversations to create the security married couples receive automatically.

What Financial Information Should You Share? The Essential Disclosures

Not all financial information carries equal weight. Some details are essential before making major commitments, while others can reasonably remain private. Here's a framework for what to share based on your relationship stage and financial entanglement.

Essential disclosures (share before major commitments)

Income and employment: Your current salary or self-employment income directly affects your ability to split costs fairly and plan major purchases together. You don't need to disclose every pay rise on day one, but before moving in together or buying property, both partners should understand each other's earning capacity and job security.

Existing debts: Credit card balances, student loans, personal loans, car finance, and outstanding hire purchase agreements affect your ability to borrow jointly. More critically, joint borrowing makes you equally liable for your partner's debts. Rachel, 33, discovered her partner owed £18,000 in credit card debt only when they applied for a joint mortgage. Their application was rejected, and their credit files are now permanently linked.

Credit score and history: Your partner's poor credit affects your ability to get mortgages and loans together. Lenders assess both credit files when you apply jointly, and one bad score can mean a declined application or much worse interest rates. Any County Court Judgements, defaults, or bankruptcies need disclosure before you financially link yourselves.

Property ownership: Whether you own property individually, your mortgage balance, equity amount, and any buy-to-let properties all matter. Owning property affects stamp duty on joint purchases, and property owned individually doesn't automatically become "ours" just because you're in a relationship. Second property ownership can cost you tens of thousands in additional stamp duty if you buy together.

Important information (share when planning shared finances)

Savings and investments: Emergency fund amount, ISAs, Premium Bonds, and investment portfolios affect your household's financial security. You need to know if you're building wealth together or if one partner is secretly accumulating assets while the other struggles. Ben never told his partner about his £40,000 pension. When he died at 42, she discovered the death benefit went to his ex-wife, who was still named as beneficiary.

Pension provisions: Pensions are often your largest asset after property. Workplace pension contributions, private pensions, and estimated pension values matter for retirement planning. Most importantly, unmarried partners don't automatically inherit pensions—you must be named as a beneficiary.

Existing financial commitments: Child maintenance payments, support for elderly parents, ongoing financial support for adult children, and spousal maintenance from previous marriages reduce disposable income. These commitments affect your ability to share household expenses and need to be factored into joint financial planning.

Insurance and protection: Life insurance policies, critical illness cover, and income protection insurance—and crucially, who is named as beneficiary—determine what happens if you die or become ill. Karen's partner died at 45, and she discovered his £250,000 life insurance still listed his ex-wife as sole beneficiary. Karen and their young son received nothing.

Spending habits and financial values: Your monthly discretionary spending, financial priorities, and attitudes toward debt and risk affect long-term compatibility. Research shows financial incompatibility is a major cause of relationship breakdowns, with couples putting off major life decisions because they can't agree on money.

Inheritance expectations: Expected inheritances, existing inheritances received, and family financial obligations affect long-term planning. You're not legally required to disclose an inheritance—it's your separate property—but transparency about its existence helps with joint decision-making and prevents resentment.

The key distinction: essential information protects you from legal and financial harm. Important information enables good joint planning. Recommended information builds trust and compatibility.

Aisha and Jake learned this the hard way. When Jake disclosed his four-year-old CCJ before they bought property together, Aisha was initially disappointed they'd need to delay their purchase by two years. But she was grateful Jake told her—if she'd only discovered it during the mortgage application, the shock and betrayal would have damaged their relationship permanently.

The Hidden Risks of Financial Secrecy in Unmarried Relationships

Financial secrecy creates unique dangers for unmarried couples that married couples don't face. Because you have no automatic legal protections, hidden financial information can destroy your financial security without warning.

Joint debt liability without knowledge: If your partner opens a joint credit card or loan, you're 100% liable for the debt even if you never used it or knew it existed. Creditors can pursue both parties equally and can claim the full amount from either person. They can empty your joint bank account to pay your partner's debt without your permission.

Melissa discovered a £12,000 joint credit card debt her partner had accumulated. She'd never used the card and barely knew it existed. Legally, she was liable for half the debt. When her partner defaulted, the credit card company pursued her for the full amount and damaged her credit score.

Blocked mortgage applications: Your partner's poor credit becomes your problem the moment you apply for joint credit. Financial association is created when you have joint accounts or joint borrowing, and mortgage lenders assess both credit files. One bad score can mean a declined application or significantly worse interest rates.

Tom had a 720 credit score—excellent. When he opened a joint account with his partner, her undisclosed CCJ dragged his score down to 580. When he tried to remortgage to a better rate, he was declined. His partner's hidden financial problem cost him thousands in unnecessary mortgage interest.

Property ownership disputes: If you've contributed to your partner's mortgage or renovations but aren't on the property deeds, you have no automatic ownership rights. To claim any interest in the property, you need an expensive beneficial interest claim costing £10,000 to £50,000 in legal fees, with no guarantee of success.

Jenny paid £800 per month toward what she thought was "their" mortgage for five years—£48,000 in total. When they separated, she discovered the property was solely in her partner's name. Legally, she was entitled to nothing without proving a beneficial interest claim. Her contributions were treated as rent. She lost everything.

No inheritance rights: Under UK intestacy rules, unmarried partners inherit nothing when their partner dies without a will. All assets go to blood relatives—children, parents, siblings, or even distant cousins—before an unmarried partner receives anything. The length of your relationship is irrelevant. You could live together for 30 years and still inherit zero.

Michael lived with his partner for 12 years in her £350,000 house. When she died without a will, her adult children from a previous marriage inherited everything. They gave Michael 30 days to leave. Legally, this was correct—he had no right to remain in the property or inherit any of her estate.

Hidden debts becoming your problem: Bailiffs can seize items from your shared home to pay your partner's individual debts, including your possessions. Unless you can prove ownership with receipts, your belongings can be taken. If you own property as joint tenants, creditors can force the sale of the property to recover your partner's debts.

Anna came home to find bailiffs removing furniture for her partner's £6,000 unpaid council tax. She lost £2,000 worth of her belongings because she couldn't immediately prove ownership. The bailiffs didn't care whose possessions they were—they just needed to recover the debt.

According to research, 38% of people in relationships admit to financial infidelity, and 31% have secret credit cards. While some secrecy involves harmless surprise savings, hidden debts and poor credit create real legal liability for unmarried couples who lack the protections married couples enjoy.

How to Have "The Money Conversation" With Your Partner

Money is one of the most difficult topics to discuss in relationships. Research shows couples argue more about money than any other issue, yet many avoid these conversations entirely. If you've never discussed finances with your partner, starting feels intimidating.

Here's a framework for having productive money conversations without triggering defensiveness or conflict.

Choose the right time and setting: Don't ambush your partner during an argument or when you're both stressed about bills. Schedule a specific time to talk when you're both calm and have at least an hour without distractions. Choose a neutral setting—the kitchen table over coffee works better than the bedroom or a pub. This isn't casual chat—it's planning your joint future.

Start with your own financial story: Share your relationship with money first. Explain your financial background, values, and fears. Be vulnerable about your own mistakes or anxieties. This models openness and makes it easier for your partner to reciprocate without feeling interrogated.

Try opening with: "I want to talk about money because I've been worrying about how we'll manage finances long-term. Can I share my situation first, and then hear about yours?"

Ask open-ended questions: Avoid yes/no questions or demands for specific figures. Instead, invite your partner to share their feelings and situation. Try questions like "How do you feel about the way we're handling money at the moment?" or "What are your biggest financial worries right now?" or "What did money look like in your family growing up?"

These questions open conversations rather than closing them. They acknowledge that money is emotional, not just mathematical.

Agree on your disclosure level together: You don't have to share everything on day one. Decide together what information feels important to disclose now and what can remain private. You might agree: "I'll share my overall debt level and credit situation, but my daily spending is private." Write down what you've agreed to share—this creates accountability and prevents misunderstandings.

Exchange information without judgment: When your partner shares difficult information—debt, poor credit, financial mistakes—listen without interrupting or criticizing. Money anxiety is often rooted in childhood experiences or trauma. Focus on "we" language: "How can we handle this together?" rather than "Why did you do that?"

If you're shocked by what you hear, take a break before responding. Say: "I need some time to process this. Can we continue this conversation tomorrow?"

Create ongoing money check-ins: Don't make this a one-time conversation. Schedule monthly "money dates" for 20 to 30 minutes to review shared expenses and upcoming costs. Quarterly, have deeper reviews of your overall financial health. Annually, set joint financial goals. Make these conversations routine and predictable so they feel less threatening.

Conversation starters for different situations

New relationships (three to six months): "Before we move in together, I think we should talk about how we'll handle shared costs. What approach do you think works best?"

Established couples who've never discussed money: "I read something about financial planning for unmarried couples and realized we've never really talked about our finances properly. Can we change that?"

After discovering a secret: "I feel worried because I found out about your debt. I'm not angry, but I'm concerned we weren't able to talk about it openly. Can we discuss why you didn't tell me, and how we can be more open going forward?"

Resources for couples struggling with money talks

MoneyHelper provides free guidance on talking to your partner about money, including conversation frameworks and tips for managing conflict.

Relate offers relationship counselling including specialist support for couples dealing with money issues.

Chloe and Dan struggled with money conversations for the first two years of their relationship. After discovering they had completely different financial goals—Chloe wanted to save for a house, Dan was paying off debt—they started monthly "money dates." Within 18 months, they were jointly saving £1,200 per month toward a house deposit. The conversation was difficult, but avoiding it would have been catastrophic.

Creating a Financial Disclosure Agreement: Cohabitation Agreements Explained

A cohabitation agreement is a legally binding contract between unmarried partners that documents your financial arrangement and protects both people if the relationship ends. Think of it as the unmarried couple's equivalent of a prenuptial agreement.

For unmarried couples who lack automatic legal protections, cohabitation agreements provide security that trust alone cannot deliver.

What a cohabitation agreement includes: A properly drafted agreement specifies how property is owned, how expenses will be split, what happens to assets if you separate, financial responsibilities during the relationship, and what happens if one partner dies. According to the Law Society, both partners should provide complete financial disclosure including proof of assets, debts, income, and financial commitments.

Why unmarried couples need them: You have no automatic legal rights if your relationship ends. Without an agreement, expensive beneficial interest claims costing £10,000 to £50,000 in legal fees become necessary to establish property ownership. These claims take months or years to resolve and have uncertain outcomes even with strong evidence.

Cohabitation agreements prevent these disputes by documenting your arrangement in advance. They clarify ownership of property purchased together, protect assets brought into the relationship, and provide certainty about what happens if you separate.

Financial disclosure requirements for enforceability: For a cohabitation agreement to hold up in court, you need full financial disclosure by both parties. This means complete schedules of assets, debts, income and earning capacity, expected inheritances if relevant, and existing financial obligations like child maintenance.

Both partners must have independent legal advice from their own solicitor. Each solicitor certifies they provided advice and their client understood the agreement. This prevents claims of undue influence or lack of understanding. The agreement must be voluntary without pressure or coercion, with adequate time to consider terms and opportunity to negotiate.

Finally, the terms must be reasonable and not grossly one-sided. Courts can refuse to enforce agreements that leave one partner destitute or are unconscionably unfair.

What to prepare before seeing a solicitor: Gather your last three months of bank statements for all accounts, your last three payslips or two years' tax returns if self-employed, mortgage statements and property valuations, credit card statements and loan agreements, pension statements, investment portfolio statements, and inheritance documentation if applicable.

The cost versus benefit analysis: A professional cohabitation agreement costs £1,300 to £3,800 as a one-time investment. This includes legal advice for both parties and can be updated if circumstances change. Compare this to the cost of not having an agreement: beneficial interest property claims cost £10,000 to £50,000 in legal fees, take one to two years to resolve, have uncertain outcomes even with evidence, and cause enormous emotional toll and relationship stress.

Lauren owned a £400,000 flat outright when her partner moved in. They created a cohabitation agreement clarifying he'd own 0% of the property unless he contributed to the mortgage or major improvements. When they separated after three years, he tried to claim £30,000 for "supporting her financially." The agreement prevented his claim entirely. It cost Lauren £1,800. Without it, she'd have faced a £20,000 legal battle.

When to create a cohabitation agreement: Before moving in together, before buying property together, when one partner owns property and the other is moving in, when having children together, when one partner is giving up work or career, or when receiving a significant inheritance.

Jack earned £70,000 while Emma earned £35,000. Their cohabitation agreement set expense splitting at 60/40 proportional to income, but clarified that jointly purchased property would be owned 50/50 despite different contribution amounts. This prevented resentment about unequal payments while ensuring equal ownership of their home.

Special Circumstances: When Financial Disclosure Becomes Critical

Certain situations transform financial transparency from "advisable" to "essential." Here are six high-stakes scenarios where lack of disclosure creates severe risk.

Buying property together

Mortgage lenders require joint financial disclosure including income, credit history, and existing debts. You cannot hide this information during property purchase. If your contributions to the deposit are unequal, you need a Declaration of Trust specifying ownership percentages. Without clear documentation, the legal presumption is 50/50 ownership regardless of who paid what.

Priya contributed a £60,000 deposit while Rahul contributed £20,000. They bought as joint tenants, meaning 50/50 ownership. When they separated, Priya had to pay Rahul £20,000 for his "half" despite contributing three times more to the deposit. A Declaration of Trust specifying 75/25 ownership based on deposit contributions would have saved her £20,000.

Required disclosure: Income and employment history for mortgage applications, credit history and score, existing debts and financial commitments, deposit source, and ability to pay the mortgage if your partner loses their job.

Protective actions: Create a Declaration of Trust before purchase specifying ownership percentage. Document deposit contributions with bank transfers. Agree how you'll handle mortgage payments, bills, improvements, and selling. Decide whether you want joint tenants (automatic inheritance) or tenants in common (willed shares).

One partner giving up work or reducing hours

Financial dependence creates massive vulnerability for unmarried couples. You have no automatic right to financial support if the relationship ends, unlike divorcing spouses who can claim maintenance. Career breaks harm your earning potential, pension contributions, and future employability permanently.

Grace gave up her £42,000 teaching job to care for her partner's elderly mother. After 18 months, he ended the relationship. Grace had no income, an 18-month employment gap, and no legal right to financial support. It took her eight months to find a new teaching position at a lower salary of £38,000. She lost over £60,000 in earnings with no compensation.

Required disclosure: Your partner's full income, job security and earning stability, savings to cover loss of your income, life insurance and income protection, and pension contributions since you'll lose years of pension building.

Protective actions: Create a formal cohabitation agreement with financial provision if you separate. Ensure your partner maintains life insurance with you as beneficiary. Have your partner pay into your pension while you're not working. Create wills immediately—you'll inherit nothing if they die. Set an end date for the career break with a clear return-to-work plan.

Having children together

Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 allows financial claims for children of unmarried parents, but not for you as the parent. If your partner dies without a will, your children inherit via intestacy but you inherit nothing. You may need to claim housing provision for your child, but this reverts to the other parent when the child turns 18.

Sophie and Liam had two children together. Liam earned £180,000 per year, above the Child Maintenance Service threshold of £156,000. When they separated, Sophie used Schedule 1 to claim top-up maintenance above the CMS maximum. Liam now pays £2,400 per month in total child maintenance because his income exceeds standard calculations.

Required disclosure: Partner's income for child maintenance calculations, property ownership, life insurance and beneficiaries, pension death benefits, and existing children and maintenance obligations.

Protective actions: Both create wills naming guardians and providing for children. Ensure life insurance sufficient to support children if either parent dies. Create a cohabitation agreement addressing child-raising costs. Discuss how you'll split childcare, reduced work hours, and costs.

Partner has existing children or financial commitments

Child maintenance obligations reduce your partner's available income substantially. Existing children may inherit the majority of the estate if your partner dies intestate. Ex-partners may still be named on life insurance and pensions. These commitments affect your household's financial stability.

Karen's partner paid £1,200 per month in child maintenance to his ex-wife for two children. His life insurance still listed his ex-wife as sole beneficiary. When he died at 45, Karen and their young son received nothing. His ex-wife received £250,000. A simple beneficiary update would have prevented this tragedy.

Required disclosure: Child maintenance amount and duration, spousal maintenance obligations, life insurance beneficiaries, pension death benefit nominations, and will provisions.

Protective actions: Ask your partner to update life insurance beneficiaries to include you. Request pension death benefit nomination forms be completed naming you or your children. Ensure your partner creates or updates their will to provide for you. Budget based on their disposable income after maintenance obligations.

Moving into partner's property

If you're not on the property deeds, you own 0% regardless of financial contributions. Payments toward your partner's mortgage build their equity, not yours. Renovations you pay for may not give you ownership rights. You can be evicted with minimal notice if the relationship ends.

Tom moved into his girlfriend's £300,000 house and paid £750 per month in "rent" for seven years—£63,000 total. When they separated, she argued it was rent for living there, not mortgage contributions. Tom had no written agreement and couldn't prove an ownership claim. He lost £63,000 in contributions.

Required disclosure: Exact property ownership structure, mortgage balance and monthly payment, equity in the property, whether they plan to add you to deeds, and what happens if you split or they die.

Protective actions: Create a formal cohabitation agreement specifying you own 0% to clarify the situation, or negotiate being added to deeds, or create an agreement that mortgage contributions give you percentage ownership. Keep records of all financial contributions. Ensure your partner's will leaves you the right to remain in the property.

Receiving a significant inheritance

Inheritances are your separate property and don't automatically become joint assets. You're not legally required to disclose an inheritance, but transparency strengthens trust and helps with joint planning. If you use inheritance for joint benefit like a house deposit, document this clearly in a Declaration of Trust.

Alison inherited £120,000 from her grandmother. She told her partner about the inheritance but kept it in a separate ISA without commingling funds. She used £40,000 toward a house deposit, and their Declaration of Trust specified she owned 65% of the property reflecting this contribution. When they later married, the inheritance remained her separate property.

Financial Transparency and Your Will: Why It Matters

Financial transparency directly connects to estate planning. If you don't know what your partner owns, you can't plan effectively for what happens if they die. More critically, without a will, unmarried partners inherit nothing under UK intestacy rules.

The harsh reality of intestacy rules: If your unmarried partner dies without a will in England and Wales, you inherit 0%. Their entire estate goes to blood relatives under intestacy rules: children first, then parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and finally the Crown if no relatives are found.

The length of your relationship is completely irrelevant. You could live together for 30 years, have children together, and own a home together. If your partner dies without a will, you get nothing automatically.

Why financial disclosure matters for estate planning: You can't plan for assets you don't know exist. If your partner has £100,000 in savings you're unaware of, you can't discuss whether you should be in their will. They may assume you're "taken care of" when you're actually not.

Beneficiary nominations override wills. Life insurance, pensions, and death-in-service benefits pass to the nominated beneficiary regardless of what the will says. Your partner's ex-partner or parents may still be named as beneficiaries. If you never discuss finances, you won't know to ask about updating these nominations.

Joint versus sole ownership affects inheritance. Property owned as joint tenants passes automatically to the survivor outside the will. Property owned as tenants in common passes via the will—meaning you could inherit nothing. Without knowing the ownership structure, you can't plan accordingly.

Neil died at 43 with no will. His partner Kate knew he had "some savings" but didn't know about his £140,000 in ISAs, £80,000 workplace pension, and £200,000 life insurance. All the life insurance went to his mother as named beneficiary. The pension went to his estate and was distributed to his two siblings under intestacy. Kate received nothing despite their nine-year relationship and shared mortgage.

Compare this to Yuki and Ben, who discussed finances before buying their house together. Ben disclosed his £180,000 pension and £150,000 life insurance. They both created wills leaving everything to each other. Ben updated his pension and life insurance nominations to name Yuki. When Ben died at 39, Yuki inherited their house, received £150,000 in life insurance, and received £180,000 in pension death benefits. She was financially secure because they planned together.

Essential financial discussions for will planning: Ask your partner directly: "Do you have a will, and am I in it?" "Who is named as beneficiary on your life insurance and pension?" "How do we own our property—joint tenants or tenants in common?" "If you die, would I be able to stay in our home?" "Are there debts that would need to be paid from your estate?"

What should be in your partner's will: Specific bequests of assets to you, residuary estate clause giving you everything else after specific gifts, right to remain in the property or outright property gift, appointment as executor so you control estate administration, and guardianship nomination if you have children together.

Financial transparency is literally the difference between financial security and destitution if your unmarried partner dies. Unlike married couples who have automatic inheritance rights, unmarried couples are completely dependent on wills and beneficiary nominations. If you don't know what exists, you can't ensure you're protected.

Protecting Yourself While Respecting Privacy: Finding the Balance

Complete financial transparency isn't necessary or desirable for everyone. You can protect yourself legally while maintaining reasonable privacy boundaries. The key is understanding the difference between healthy privacy and harmful secrecy.

Privacy versus secrecy: Financial privacy means your partner knows you have savings and you spend your discretionary money as you choose. The specific amount might be private, but you're transparent about overall financial health. You disclose anything that affects your partner or joint finances.

Financial secrecy means hiding debts or assets that could harm your partner. Your partner doesn't know about significant financial facts. You're deceptive about income, debts, or financial obligations. You keep secrets about financial decisions affecting both of you.

Tiered disclosure framework by relationship stage: In early dating (zero to six months), minimal disclosure is appropriate. Share general financial values and attitudes and major red flags like bankruptcies or gambling problems. You don't need specific salary or savings figures. Saying "I'm comfortable financially" is reasonable rather than "I have £45,732 in savings."

In serious relationships (six to 12 months), moderate disclosure makes sense. Share general income level—your salary band, not exact amount. Disclose your debt situation as none, manageable, or concerning. Share your credit status as good, fair, or poor. Discuss long-term financial goals. It's reasonable to say "I earn around £40,000 to £50,000" and "I have some student debt I'm paying off."

When moving in together, high disclosure becomes important. Share specific income and employment details, exact debt amounts and payment obligations, credit score and history, and how you propose to split costs. Anything affecting your ability to pay rent or bills should be disclosed.

When making major financial commitments like buying property or having children, comprehensive disclosure is essential. Provide complete financial disclosure of assets, debts, and income. Create a formal cohabitation agreement. Update life insurance and pension beneficiaries. Create or update wills.

What you can reasonably keep private: Day-to-day spending from your personal account on coffee, lunches, and hobbies can remain private. The exact amount in personal savings is your business as long as your partner knows you have an emergency fund. Gifts you're planning to buy for your partner should obviously remain secret. Specific investment portfolio composition is private. Income from side gigs or freelance work can be private as long as you're meeting shared obligations.

Unacceptable secrets requiring disclosure: Debts over £1,000, poor credit affecting joint applications, gambling or addiction problems, job loss or income reduction, legal judgements or bankruptcies, financial commitments to others like child maintenance, and anything putting your partner at financial risk must be disclosed.

Maria and Jack have a healthy approach. They maintain a joint account for bills where both contribute £1,200 per month, plus separate accounts for personal spending. Maria doesn't ask how Jack spends his remaining salary, and Jack doesn't monitor Maria's personal account. They both know the other has emergency savings but not exact amounts. They both disclose debts and major purchases over £500. Their relationship is trusting and respectful.

Contrast this with Danielle, who secretly opened £8,000 in credit card debt without telling her partner. She hid statements and used a different email address. Her partner discovered the debt when applying for a joint mortgage—the application was declined. Danielle's secrecy harmed both of them and destroyed trust.

Ahmed wanted complete financial transparency while his partner Suki valued privacy. They compromised: they share their overall financial picture including income bands, debt status, and savings level as low, medium, or high. They created a joint budget for shared costs but keep individual accounts and don't micromanage each other's spending. Both agreed to disclose debts over £500 and any credit applications.

Different cultures have different norms around financial disclosure. Some cultures expect complete financial merging upon cohabitation, while others maintain strict financial separation even in marriage. Neither approach is inherently right. Discuss your cultural backgrounds and expectations openly to find what works for your relationship.

Signs that privacy has crossed into harmful secrecy include hiding debts or financial problems, feeling anxious about your partner discovering something, making financial decisions affecting your partner without consultation, using joint money for undisclosed purposes, and feeling embarrassed if your partner saw your bank statements. If you're feeling this way, it's time for a money conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do unmarried couples have to share financial information in the UK?

A: Unmarried couples in the UK have no legal obligation to share financial information with each other during their relationship. However, if you're creating a cohabitation agreement, purchasing property together, or separating, full financial disclosure becomes essential for legal protection and fairness. Without financial transparency, you risk making uninformed decisions that could have serious consequences if the relationship ends.

Q: What happens to my finances if my unmarried partner dies?

A: If your unmarried partner dies without a will, you inherit nothing automatically under UK intestacy rules. Their estate goes to blood relatives, regardless of how long you lived together. This is why financial transparency and will-writing are critical for unmarried couples. You need to know what assets exist and ensure your partner has made a will naming you as a beneficiary.

Q: Can I be held responsible for my partner's debts?

A: Generally, you're not responsible for your partner's individual debts unless you're a joint account holder or guarantor. However, if you have joint credit cards, loans, or mortgages, you're equally liable for the full debt. This is why knowing about your partner's financial obligations is essential—you could unknowingly become responsible for debts you didn't know existed if you agree to joint borrowing.

Q: How much money can my partner hide from me legally?

A: Your partner can legally keep any amount of money secret during your relationship—there's no law requiring financial disclosure between unmarried couples. However, nearly half (47%) of UK adults keep financial secrets from their partners, with average secret savings of £6,000. While legal, financial secrecy erodes trust and can lead to problems if you're making joint financial decisions or the relationship ends.

Q: What financial information should be in a cohabitation agreement?

A: A cohabitation agreement should include full disclosure of assets (property, savings, investments, pensions), debts (mortgages, loans, credit cards), income and earning capacity, existing financial obligations (child support, alimony), and how you'll handle shared expenses and property ownership. Both partners should provide complete financial disclosure and receive independent legal advice for the agreement to be enforceable.

Q: Do I have rights to my partner's property if we're not married?

A: No, unmarried partners have no automatic rights to each other's property in the UK, regardless of how long you've lived together. The "common law marriage" myth has no legal standing. If you're not on the property deeds or mortgage, you own nothing unless you can prove a beneficial interest through financial contributions—which is expensive and difficult to establish in court.

Q: Should I tell my partner about my inheritance?

A: While you're not legally required to disclose an inheritance, transparency about significant assets strengthens trust and helps with joint financial planning. If you're creating a cohabitation agreement or will, full disclosure protects both partners. Many people choose to keep inheritances separate but acknowledge their existence, especially if it affects major decisions like buying property or retirement planning.

Conclusion

Financial transparency for unmarried couples isn't just about trust—it's about legal protection. Here are your key takeaways:

  • Schedule a financial transparency conversation with your partner this week using the framework in this article—start with your own disclosure to model vulnerability and partnership.
  • Complete a financial disclosure checklist independently covering income, debts, credit, assets, pensions, and commitments, then share simultaneously so neither partner is put on the spot.
  • Check your credit reports together using free services like Experian, ClearScore, or Equifax so you both understand your joint creditworthiness before applying for shared credit.
  • Create wills naming each other as beneficiaries—unmarried partners inherit nothing under UK intestacy rules, regardless of how long you've lived together.
  • If buying property together or cohabiting long-term, consider a cohabitation agreement and Declaration of Trust to protect both partners' financial interests.

Financial transparency isn't about suspicion or control—it's about building a partnership where both people have the information they need to make good decisions together. The couples who thrive financially aren't the ones who never make mistakes with money. They're the ones who face their financial reality as a team, support each other through challenges, and protect each other with proper legal documentation.

Need Help With Your Will?

Understanding what financial information to share with your partner is an important first step, but the most critical action unmarried couples can take is creating a will. Without one, your partner inherits nothing under UK intestacy rules—regardless of how long you've lived together or how transparent you've been about finances.

Create your will with confidence using WUHLD's guided platform. For just £99.99, you'll get your complete will (legally binding when properly executed and witnessed) plus three expert guides. Preview your will free before paying anything—no credit card required.

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. WUHLD is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Laws and guidance change and their application depends on your circumstances. For advice about your situation, consult a qualified solicitor or regulated professional. Unless stated otherwise, information relates to England and Wales.

Sources: